In June 2007, after a four-year campaign spearheaded by the Kids Are Priority One Coalition and the Child Care Fund of Vermont, Act 62 was enacted with bi- partisan support in the legislature. This law solidifies the practice of using public education funds to support high-quality early education. School districts can contract with community-based early education programs, or they can establish on-site pre-k programs. Before starting an on-site program, school districts must undertake a community needs assessment.
Act 62 directed the Vermont Department of Education and the Vermont Department for Children and Families to propose rules for consideration by the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education formally initiated the rule-making process in November 2007 and approved final rules at its May meeting.
To learn more about what Act 62 means for parents, early childhood programs and school districts, go to http://www.dcf.state.vt.us/cdd/programs/partnerships/index.html
For additional resources regarding Act 62, go to the State Department of Education's website: http://education.vermont.gov/new/html/pgm_earlyed/prekindergarten.html
When legislation as sweeping as Act 62 is enacted, there inevitably are growing pains associated with its implementation. This is especially true when two different systemsthe public education system and the early care and education system (both its private and public components)intersect in new ways as they do with Act 62. Ironing out issues as they arise becomes more difficult when state agencies responsible for implementation are short-staffed.
The Kids Are Priority One staff has prepared a summary of challenges (click here to view) posed by implementation of Act 62 which have been brought to our attention by Building Bright Futures Regional Councils, school district staff, individual early childhood programs, child care resource and referral agencies, and parents. The memo also offers possible solutions. Challenges, as well as possible solutions, were the subject of a meeting held in mid-November with representatives from organizations/agencies involved in implementation of Act 62. The Kids Are Priority One staff and Coalition partners are part of an informal stakeholder group that is working with the Commissioners from the Department for Children and and Families and Department of Education, as well as their staff, to resolve the issues that have arisen.